Detour through the Stone Age Porvoo

Earlier this year I visited some potential research sites in Porvoo with archaeologists Jan Fast and Janne Soisalo. With the assistance of a helpful landowner, we managed to pinpoint an ideal spot for excavations on the edge of a gravel pit - and now it was time to see what the site had to offer! Even though my work in Pori was still ongoing, I decided to take a day off in order to join the second weekend of excavations.

The first excavation day ongoing. Photo: Jan Fast
The excavations were conducted as community archaeology excavations with around 15 daily participants excavating the area. While many of the participants were first-timers with archaeology, the work went smoothly and people's excitement showed through the warm atmosphere that filled the weekend with friendly chatter and laughter. Our goal was to open a new area next to the excavated trench from the previous weekend, in order to continue the systematic excavation of the site and pinpoint the highest concentration of finds in the area. Besides fully excavating the opened area, we did dig some small test pits around the site to observe the further research potential of the site.

Typical Comb Ware
Ka II:2 rimsherd.
The site proved to be fruitful for the second weekend as well and the find bags filled up nicely along the days. The layers were rich especially in quartz and pottery showcasing many different time periods, including at least Typical Comb Ware (Ka II:1 and Ka II:2) and Late Comb Ware (Ka III:1). There were also multiple small slate and flint artefacts, a fragment of a stone axe, smoke quartz and lots of fragments of animal bone.

The excavation gave a clear idea on the concentration of the finds and ideas for the trench placements in the future. The test pits on the other hand proved that the site extended further into the forest and had research potential for years to come. After this weekend I can only hope that I can also be a part of the further research and play my part in discovering what remains hidden within the ground!

But before that, it's time to return to Pori, as the work continues!

If you're interested in reading more about the excavation and seeing photos of a large variety of finds, check out Jan Fast's blog starting from this post!
Location: Porvoo, Suomi

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